For RozenHound, for some odd reason I needed to write this...severe lack of Aang, Katara and Sokka
Save me From Life
Prologue
-
The orange glow of streetlights filled the alley with an eerie light. Two figures walked side-by-side, the crunch of their boots the only sound in the snow's dampening silence. As they reached the mouth of the alley they faced each other, faces obscured by the puff of steam hissing from their mouths. The moon shone through the clouds, a pale circle amidst a sky of black and twinkling gray.
One was significantly shorter than the other; the top of their hat barely reached the other's chin. Even though their coat was big, the curves of womanhood could still be seen settling in on the shorter one. Her mouth was moving though the other didn't seem to be listening.
The other one was a man; though still young in his ear his air of distaste for the world gave him an older feeling. As he turned his face a scar could be seen covering the left side of his face in vivid red. As he exhale it was hidden behind a veil of gray.
As the moon hid behind a cover of cloud the two figures approached and embraced before letting go and quickly walking away.
Save Me From Life
Chapter 1
Wherein we Meet our Main Characters
-
"Do you need a refill sir?"
"What?"
"A refill. For your coffee?"
"Oh, yes." And as an afterthought, "please."
The waitress poured the man his coffee, her pale eyes gazing at him, looking concerned, "You've been sitting here for over an hour, don't you think your date would've shown up by now?"
His amber eyes blinked as the word 'date' reached his ears, "Uh, no."
"Whatever you say." She sauntered away, green converse squeaking on the floor.
The man sighed and sipped his coffee watching the world outside through the window. Rain was splattering against the sidewalks and building. Giant grey clouds filled with the giving the world a premature evening. Occasionally the roll of thunder would shake dust from the rafters followed by the crack of lightning.
To the man, it was perfect weather. He looked around the small café he was sitting in. It was on the corner of Elm and 23rd, busy and trendy enough to keep a steady flow of income and customers, though it was relatively empty considering the weather. Only the man, two waitresses and a couple were in the café. The couple was talking softly, sharing a cup of hot chocolate, which was topped with a large quantity of pink sprinkles and whipping cream. The whole drink practically screamed 'We've only been going out for a week and we plan on being together forever.'
The man took another sip of the coffee weighing his chances, he could stay here and not face the wrath of his girlfriend or he could return home and face the wrath of his girlfriend but maybe be forgiven and get cold leftovers. He mulled the question over, lazily stirring the last dregs of his coffee until a voice interrupted his deliberation.
"You're still here." The waitress was back, out of her apron and dressed in street clothes, skinny jeans, a green shirt, jacket while a toque and scarf in her hands.
"Sorry, I didn't know it was illegal to drink coffee." He bit back, slightly put off by her forwardness.
She smiled and looked thoughtful, "Normally I'd kick your ass but, I'm feeling nice today and you sound pretty down, so I'll offer some advice." She slid into the booth, "What seems to be the problem?"
"You play the part of a caring waitress well." he said his eyebrows rising.
"I am taking Drama." She strikes a pose before laughing. The man remains quiet though his cold exterior was slowly thawing.
"You're in university?"
"Yeah, Drama and Creative Writing. What about you?"
"Business."
"Oh I see, planning to take over a family business?"
The spoon clinked as he dropped it into the porcelain cup, "You could say that." He stood up, gathering his black coat in his hands, "I have to go now."
She stood up, "Where do you live?"
"Broadway and 66th."
"Oh, I can walk with you."
"No that's alright." he said coldly pulling the black coat on.
"It's no problem."
"Do I look like I can't take care of myself?" he asked angrily, his temper always so close to the surface rising quickly.
"I have no honest answer to that question," she pointed at her eyes, "As I am completely blind in both eyes."
Guilt quickly doused his sudden outburst, "Sorry."
"You can repay me by letting me walk you home."
"Only if you protect me from the boogiemen." He let out a rare smile.
She punched him in the shoulder, her way of showing approval he was going to have to get used to.
He and the waitress walked out of the store, the girl flipped open a large umbrella, she handed it to Zuko, "You're taller." she explained and shoved her hands into her pockets and started walking away while Zuko held the umbrella over both of them. "So what's your name?"
"Zuko Sozin."
"Oh I've heard of you!" the girl gave him a questioning look, "You're the heir to the Azulon fortune right?"
"Yeah that's me." He said dejectedly.
The waitress grinned at him, "That makes us heir buddies!"
"What?"
"Here I'll give you a hint. Filthy rich and a flying boar logo."
Zuko's cogs started turning, he had heard of the mysterious Beifong's daughter. Sole heir to the fortune she had forsaken her family once she had turned eighteen, "Toph Beifong?"
"Give the man a prize!" Toph announced to the wet empty street, clapping loudly.
Reluctantly Zuko let out a laugh, "Well Miss Beifong I appreciate your protection on my way home but alas I must cut our repartee short as I have arrived at my abode." He said, acting the part of the nonchalant hero.
"It was a pleasure milord," she bows, "Does a fair maiden await you in the tallest tower?"
"You could say that." Unexpectedly Zuko takes her pale hand and presses it to his lips, "I must depart fair lady." And with that he handed over the umbrella and walked away leaving the Beifong heiress with a small pink tinge dancing across her cheeks.
-
Anyway...go Toko Tokka!
BTW, this had no editing whatsoever...sorry...